8 Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house. It’s where families gather to cook, share a meal, do homework, have a snack, or talk about their day. When it’s time to create a new, modern kitchen oasis, homeowners should begin looking for kitchen remodeling ideas.Remodeling a kitchen is an important commitment that can take weeks and thousands of dollars to complete. For that kind of investment, homeowners looking to undertake kitchen remodeling in the Utica area will want to avoid these 8 common remodeling mistakes.

1. Making Impulsive Decisions. The beginning of the kitchen design process can be overwhelming. There are so many choices to be made, and hours can be spent perusing kitchen remodeling ideas online or in a showroom. So, it’s understandable when someone planning their remodel -- having spent the whole day on a showroom floor -- makes a snap decision about some large aspect of the remodel “just to be done with it.” Or, alternatively, they fall in love with the first counters or set of cabinets they see and don’t want to see anything else. While it’s great to be decisive, materials can look a lot different on a showroom floor than in the home in question, and decisions shouldn’t be made “on the fly” without taking samples home to view them in the real environment.
2. Failing to Consider Workflow. Good kitchen design takes into account the three most-used areas of the kitchen: the stove, refrigerator, and sink. While one may think it looks nice to have the refrigerator next to the stove or to have all three along a single long wall, think again. Having these appliances lined up makes it impossible for more than one person to be cooking at once, and makes reaching each appliance inefficient. Instead, create a “work triangle” of these three elements such that they are all within easy reach but with enough space to move easily between them.
3. Making Aisles Too Narrow. A similar no-no when considering form versus function is to fail to design enough space in the kitchen’s walkways to allow for open cabinets, refrigerators and oven doors. The kitchen’s new layout may look beautiful on the blueprint, but when the family chef cannot open the oven while the dishwasher door is open, or cannot open the microwave door while the cabinet next to it is open, frustration sets in. Homeowners should avoid these inefficiencies (and a cramped kitchen) by taking a walk through the space and planning door openings.
4. Not Including Enough Counter or Storage Space. At one time in almost everyone’s life, they will experience living with a tiny kitchen - no counter space to speak of, and only one or two cabinets and drawers to store all the cutlery, crockery, cookware, spices, and dry/canned food. When considering kitchen remodeling, Utica homeowners should make it a point to focus on including plenty of storage and countertop workspace. An experienced remodeling firm will have many ideas and suggestions for maximizing space, like utilizing islands, Lazy Susan’s, open cabinets, tray dividers, and roll-out drawers.
5. Choosing Appliances Last. When homeowners wait too long to choose appliances, it is a hassle for the remodeling contractor and can cause delays for the homeowner. The size of the appliances directly affects how the cabinets and countertops are cut and built, so appliances need to be chosen early in the design stages. When the homeowner puts off making the decision about appliances, soon he or she will be having to make decisions about where to put the cabinets without knowing how much space to leave for the stove or refrigerator.
6. Skimping on (or Forgetting) the Little Things. As a family considers all the kitchen remodeling ideas out there, they are bound to get caught up making decisions about the big things: floor plan, cabinets, appliances, paint scheme, and countertops. These are also where the bulk of the remodeling budget will go. So, it’s understandable if less thought is given to small touches, like cabinet hardware, backsplashes, drawer dividers, and electrical outlets. However, trying to save a few pennies by skimping on these types of items is a classic mistake. They may seem insignificant, but they will have a significant, lasting impact on the kitchen’s efficiency and the quality of its “look” post-remodel.
7. Changing Your Mind Once Work is Underway. There’s no faster way to bust a remodeling budget than to make changes once the project has begun (not to mention the delays it will cause the schedule). Homeowners should do all the necessary homework ahead of time, make their decisions and be sure that they’re happy with their remodeling plan before any work begins. Because if changes are made midstream, work will come to a halt, new materials will need to be ordered (at additional cost), and there may even be a restocking fee for returning the original materials. Best to think through all choices ahead of time and then stick with them.
8. Do-It-Yourself Remodeling. Maybe the biggest mistake for homeowners to avoid is thinking that they can attempt to complete a full kitchen remodel by themselves. All the DIY reality shows on TV these days can instill a false sense of confidence and expertise about undertaking a remodel. But the real “reality” of remodeling a kitchen involves complexities, knowledge, and craftsmanship that only professional contractors will be able to bring. There may be plumbing and electrical issues to be resolved; there may be asbestos or building code and permitting issues to be navigated. DIY-ers shouldn’t attempt to wade into these waters alone.

Homeowners who want to embark upon kitchen remodeling in Utica should find a local, professional remodeling company to assist them with their project.Remodeling a kitchen can be a fun, exciting process. Watching the old kitchen get ripped apart and then slowly seeing new appliances, cabinetry, lighting, paint, and counters all come together to create a “dream kitchen” can be thrilling. Plus, a new kitchen gives the family a warm gathering place and boosts the value of the home. By avoiding these eight remodeling missteps, homeowners can avoid wasted time, money, and stress and have a smooth, successful remodeling experience instead.